what is the va disability rating for degenerative disc disease

It all depends on how far along your DDD is and if the spinal fusion was done as surgery to fix it. Our attorneys answer this question and more in the following text. We help disabled veterans nationwide. This information is made available for educational purposes only and to provide general information and a general understanding of the law. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for a chronic sinusitis condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. ELITE Success: Its Never Too Late to Get Correctly Rated, How to Get a VA Rating for Veteran Orthopedic Conditions. Military activities, like repeated heavy lifting, can result in degenerative disc disease over time. Degenerative disc disease is a painful spinal condition that can affect daily life. Our team of experts, doctors, and orthopedic specialists are here to share their knowledge and experience with you in order to help you make informed decisions about your health and well-being. Because DDD often does not appear noticeably during a soldiers time in the military, it can be difficult to recognize the condition in its early stages. The practitioner will assess how far you can bend and flex your joints during the range of motion C& P exam. If that same veteran has limited ROM to rate for 10% in the low back and the cervical spine is this 10% or 20%, because 10% for low back and 10% for cervical ROM. We are proud to help you who have served to get the disability benefits you deserve. So, lets take a minute to explore the law regarding the symptoms and impairment required to warrant a VA rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. For VA disability purposes, the four regions listed below will be considered when it comes to your final VA rating for Radiculopathy. However, more commonly, veterans are able to achieve a 100% rating through a combination of back and neck injury ratings and other conditions. If this is the case, contact us. Our attorneys will use our expertise to help you fight for your benefits. Pain that worsens when standing, bending, lifting, or twisting. Make Today The Last Day You Worry About Your Disability Claim. Some examples of cervical conditions that are rated under this code include the following: Diagnostic Code 5237 Cervical Strain A torn tendon or muscle in the neck In this situation, a VA RO will contact you to schedule the exam. This happens when the soft, inner part of the disc bulges out through a tear in the outer layer. Get to know us through our videos. Part of aging is disk deterioration; however, it does not cause pain in everyone. Call 512-454-4000 for Free Consultation. Social Security Medical Evaluations Don't Miss: Is Aflac Short Term Disability Worth It You must be able to demonstrate the severity of your disability in order to receive the proper disability rating. Degenerative disc disease is often accompanied by varying levels of pain. However, getting these benefits is often challenging. Target Leave And Disability Reedgroup Com, Jailbreak Disabled Iphone Without Losing Data, What Happens If You Become Disabled While On Social Security, Complete the foot dangles and drops, no active movement possible of muscles below the knee, flexion of knee weakened or lost, Official records of a herniated disc during active duty, Medical evidence from private doctors linking the current diagnosis to an in-service injury, disease, or event that has been at least as likely as not caused the current condition. For example, a Veteran with mild degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 10 percent disability rating, while a Veteran with severe degenerative disc disease may be assigned a 100 percent disability rating. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. Though the practice was effective in reducing large quantities of waste, the burn pits emitted large clouds of toxic smoke which was later proven to cause many adverse health conditions. Veterans with DDD are often denied benefits or given low disability ratings because an examiner dismisses the disease as the result of the normal wear and tear of aging. The functional loss may be due to absence of part, or all, of the necessary bones, joints and muscles, or associated structures, or to deformity, adhesions, defective innervation, or other pathology, or it may be due to pain, supported by adequate pathology and evidenced by the visible behavior of the claimant undertaking the motion. The ratings also factor in whether a veteran feels pain, stiffness, or aching in their spine. Signup to never miss a beat with special offers, blog updates, exclusive trainings, and more delivered right to your inbox! In order to apply for a secondary service connection, you must demonstrate that one disability resulted directly from the other. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to evaluate back conditions like osteoarthritis. There is no maximum disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as the condition is not considered to be a service-connected disability. These ratings will be based on evidence from medical professionals, a VA claim exam, and information collected from other sources including federal agencies. Dont give up. If your doctor orders bedrest, the frequency of your incapacitating episodes can also be the basis for a rating. Some people with DDD may experience no pain while others may experience debilitating pain that inhibits their daily life. Which it turns out are more than just one item. This data may be used to help optimize our websites and make them easier for you to navigate. 15-18 701 DATE: December 26, 2018 ORDER Entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, secondary to service-connected lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) on a causation basis, is granted. You May Like: Connect To Itunes Phone Disabled. The discs act as shock absorbers, absorbing the impact from the daily activities and movements of your body. Despite how much pain the condition causes, the maximum VA disability rating for degenerative disc disease, as mentioned above, is typically 20 percent. Can I Receive VA Disability Benefits for Agent Orange Exposure? We are an online blog dedicated to providing comprehensive and accurate information about orthopedics and injury prevention. Its FREE to get started, so click Go Elite Now below to complete our 3-step intake process. Also, feel free to message us through our online contact page. What Is the Maximum Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease? Pre-qualify in 60 seconds for up to $3,345 per month and 12 months back pay. It is possible for veterans with DDD to find relief by incorporating lifestyle changes, taking medications, or undergoing physical therapy. Spine conditions are usually rated based upon how limited your back or neck range of motion is. Be sure to click the link to sign up for updates on matters regarding VA disability benefits for burn pit exposure. It is possible for migraines to develop as a result of changes in temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure. To achieve the full disability rating, you must complete all of the steps. Back conditions typically correspond to the thoracolumbar spine, which is composed of several different types of vertebrae. The discs between your vertebrae will lose their cushioning and begin to fragment, often causing them to herniate. Monitoring Your Disability Insurance Claim. #1. These codes guide the VA on how to rate your disability at a certain percentage level based on specific symptoms. This 20 percent rating or the 10 percent rating, when applicable, will be assigned once only to cover disability at all sites of previously active infection with a future ending date in the case of the 20 percent rating. VA Disability Ratings for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD), Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, - Learn About CCK's Partnership with DAV and Harvard Law School, Service Connection for Degenerative Disc Disease, Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams for Degenerative Disc Disease, VA Disability Rating for Degenerative Disc Disease. However, there are a few ways veterans can increase their DDD VA rating. It is often hard to get disability for degenerative disc disease. This allows the veteran to get a separate rating from the spinal condition that could potentially increase monthly compensation. For example, if you have a service-connected knee condition that causes you to favor one side when you walk, you may develop an altered gait. In these cases, the VA now presumes a link between service and sinusitis, meaning that the veteran does not need to prove a connection. Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a condition that refers to the breakdown of the discs that cushion the vertebrae in your spine. It mostly occurs in your lower back or neck. And, youll get to work with a Veteran Coach (VC) who will lead you to VA claim success. The rating criteria for this diagnostic code is virtually the same as diagnostic code 5003, which is used to rate degenerative arthritis. These examples of functional impairment can limit a veterans daily activities, quality of life, and ability to work. If you have recently filed a DDD claim or are considering one, the team at Hill can assist you. Degenerative disc disease is a common disability among Veterans. Since there is no certainty of what was burned at each military installation at a given time, the specific toxins released by the burn pits vary for every location. The people serving in our military work hard. This means you do NOT currently have the VA disability rating and compensation YOU deserve, and you could be missing out on thousands of dollars of tax-free compensation and benefits each month. Do You Qualify for Long Term Disability Benefits? This means any job that pays at least $18,000 per year pre-tax. DDD can also cause radiculopathy, herniation discs, neurological impairments, and spinal stenosis, in addition to other conditions. If you are unable to work due to Degenerative Disc Disease, you should speak with your caseworker about TDIU benefits. Read Also: Chances Of Winning Disability In Federal Court. Whether from the physical rigors of combat, from the psychosomatic effects of stress and anxiety on the body, or from other factors, many soldiers can leave their time in the military with a wide range of physical problems. If you developed degenerative disc disease as a result of military service, you may be eligible for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In most cases, veterans will have to provide evidence of the following three elements of their service connection in pursuing compensation: Its been demonstrated that veterans who were exposed to the environmental hazards from open-air burn pits are at higher risk for developing allergic rhinitis, and other respiratory conditions so, to your advantage, that is a known fact. Degenerative Disc Disease is a painful spinal disorder caused by the steady degeneration of the intervertebral discs, which are the pads that cushion the bones in the vertebrae of your spine. The VA uses diagnostic code 5003 to determine your degenerative disc disease disability rating. Simple exercises will not cause much strain on your back and can be done at home. If your degenerative disc disease develops over time, you can file a claim for secondary service connection when necessary. These cookies are also used to let affiliates know if you came to one of our websites from an affiliate and if your visit resulted in the use or purchase of a product or service from us, including details of the product or service purchased. VA Unemployability Explained What is TDIU? The VA rates a secondary condition separately. In addition, there are times when VA can rate veterans outside of the rating schedule. Other spinal conditions cause people to change how they walk, which can lead to leg and knee issues. In reality, there is no such thing as a cure for everything. Usually this happens when a veteran experiences symptoms or limitations that are not considered by the rating schedule. will forward what benefits the VA is paying for an asthma condition and how best to prove your need for disability compensation, along with other information and news about burn pit exposure. Did VA Deny Your Claim for Degenerative Disc Disease? The TDIU rating gives the same amount of disability benefits as the 100% rating but does not require the full 100%. The strain of military service can lead to wear and tear on the spine, not to mention the risk of traumatic injuries in training or combat. Medical diagnosis of Degenerative Disc Disease in a medical record (Service Treatment Records, VA medical records, or private medical records), #2. All information these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. The VA ratings for back pain reflect the seriousness of a veterans mobility loss and how much their spine is affected. Call Us. What Conditions Qualify for Disability Benefits? Heres the brutal truth about VA disability claims: You Deserve It: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Veteran Benefits Youve Earned, 9 Secrets Strategies for Winning Your VA Disability Claim, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine; or forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine 30 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis, Forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees; or, forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 120 degrees but not greater than 235 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height.